More than 200 players, 20 teams and 21 umpires came together on Larrakia Country from 22–24 May for the 2026 Sitzler First Nations Netball Carnival, celebrating community, culture and connection through netball.
Hosted by Netball NT at Sitzler Netball Centre, the Carnival featured competition across 11&U, 13&U, 15&U, 17&U, Mixed and Women's Open divisions, with teams travelling from across the Northern Territory and beyond to be part of one of the Territory's most significant netball events.
Since its inception in 2017, the Sitzler First Nations Netball Carnival has grown into much more than a sporting competition. It provides a culturally safe and inclusive environment where women, girls, boys and men come together through netball, proudly representing their communities, strengthening relationships and celebrating First Nations identity.
This year's Carnival welcomed the return of the team from Mparntwe (Alice Springs) for their fifth appearance, alongside teams from Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and other regions across the Territory.
The Opening and Closing Ceremonies showcased the strength of the First Nations netball community, with Indigenous netball leaders Tash Guse and Michelle Kerrin serving as emcees throughout the weekend. Tayla Godwin and Paxton Miller delivered the Welcome to Country on behalf of the Larrakia people, while Michael Sitzler, Director of Sitzler, joined participants and supporters at the Opening Ceremony on Friday evening.
Netball NT extends its sincere thanks to major sponsor Sitzler, whose ongoing support helps make the Carnival possible. We also acknowledge the valuable contribution of the Confident Girls Foundation, Tennant Mines, Gilbert and the Northern Territory Government.
A highlight of the weekend was a donation of sports bras from The Sports Bra Project, with bras distributed to players and umpires throughout the Carnival. Founded by Sarah Dwyer-Shick in 2018, The Sports Bra Project was established to address barriers to participation in sport and has since expanded internationally. Since launching in Australia in 2022, the organisation has donated more than 5,000 sports bras to support women and girls to participate in sport comfortably and confidently.
The Carnival also proudly supported No More through a dedicated No More Round, raising awareness of domestic and family violence. Players wore orange ribbons and linked arms before matches as a visible sign of solidarity and commitment to ending violence in our communities. Netball NT was honoured to welcome No More founder Dr Charlie King AM to the Closing Ceremony, where he presented the Spirit Awards recognising teams and individuals who best demonstrated the values of respect, fairness and sportsmanship throughout the weekend.
The Honourable Jinson Charls MLA, Minister for People, Sport and Culture, attended the Closing Ceremony and presented the Most Valuable Player awards. Indigenous netballers Alicia Hosking and Tayla Godwin also joined presentations, awarding Rising Star recipients and grand final medallists.
Beyond the competition, the Carnival was supported by a dedicated team of officials, volunteers and mentors who helped ensure a positive experience for all participants. Netball NT extends its thanks to Amy Rodda and Ruth Kirk for serving as umpire mentors throughout the weekend, providing valuable feedback and development opportunities to umpires across all divisions. We also acknowledge SEDA College students Kaylee Alchin and Addison Covill for their assistance with umpiring and timekeeping duties.
A special thank you is extended to selectors Peta Stephens, Michelle Kerrin and Alycia Hosking for their work in identifying and recognising this year's Rising Star recipients. Netball NT also acknowledges Walking Netball participants Judy Jenner and Anne Lahy for their assistance with data entry and administrative support throughout the Carnival.
2026 Spirit Award Recipients
Umpire
// Farrah Hook
11&U
// Delirra Sisters
// Mash Wildfire
// SD Crocs U11
13&U
// Cougars
15&U
// SD Crocs U15
17&U
// Cougars
Mixed
// Them Mob
Women's Open
// Cougars
2026 Rising Star Award Recipients
11&U Rising Star
// Mila O'Connell-Briston (Delirra Sisters)
13&U Rising Star
// Valentina May (Delirra Sisters Diamonds)
15&U Rising Star
// Jahna Tranter (Alice Springs)
17&U Rising Star
// Layla Church (Delirra Sisters)
2026 Most Valuable Players
Mixed Division
// Taneesha Hampton (Us Mob)
// Bo Marriot (Them Mob)
Women's Open Division
// Alicia Hosking (Delirra Sisters Diamonds)
// Tracey Castine (Dardy Kings)
2026 Champions
11&U
// Champions – Delirra Sisters
// Runners Up – Mash Wildfire
13&U
// Champions – Delirra Sisters Diamonds
// Runners Up – Delirra Sisters Stars
15&U
// Champions – Delirra Sisters Diamonds
// Runners Up – Alice Springs
17&U
// Champions – Delirra Sisters
// Runners Up – SD Crocs U17
Mixed
// Champions – Them Mob
// Runners Up – Us Mob
Women's Open
// Champions – Us Mob
// Runners Up – Dardy Kings
As Netball NT looks ahead to the tenth anniversary of the Carnival in 2027, we thank every player, coach, umpire, volunteer, sponsor and supporter who helped make this year's event possible. More than a competition, the Sitzler First Nations Netball Carnival continues to provide a place where communities can come together, celebrate culture, strengthen connections and create memories that extend far beyond the final whistle.
The success of the 2026 Carnival once again demonstrated the power of netball to bring people together. Through competition, culture and community, the event continues to create opportunities for connection, pride and belonging, ensuring its place as one of the most important celebrations of First Nations sport in the Northern Territory.
